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PROS

CONS

Terrible AI pathing and line-of-sight issues; mechs regularly either refuse to move, head in the wrong direction, or refuse to fire - makes them (at best) unreliable tactical assets.

Assist and 'capture' features require only one unit selected; difficult to pull off as indicators don't switch on/off correctly, so it's hard to know who is available.

VERDICT

MechWarrior: Tactical Command is riddled with poorly implemented features that hint at a much greater tactical experience, but instead make a rich combat-focused universe feel like a slap-fest.

Full Review

App Store Info

The release of MechWarrior: Tactical Command on the iOS platform may seem like a somewhat archaic franchise to resurrect for the modern gamer, but with MechWarrior Tactics pulling in old fans it was going to be now or never. Modeled after the real-time tactical wing of the MechWarrior franchise (MechCommander), Personae Studios manages to capture many of the detailed points from the series, while stumbling over everything else, including the controls, presentation and storyline.

Summarily it feels like a bit of a mess, even before you manage to finish the tutorial campaign and start tinkering with the innards of each of your hulking battle-mechs.

Much like the original MechCommander, Tactical Command places you in command of a small squad of mechs that must complete their missions given the limited amount of resources available. More often than not, what you enter the stage with is all you’ll have to defeat hordes of enemies and tough-as-nails defensive positions, but capturing objectives can turn the tide in your favor.

Sadly pulling all of this off is an exercise in frustration as you trudge around muddy environments scaled to suit the extreme size of the vehicles you’re controlling, with insufficient camera controls (specifically the ability to zoom out) to deal with the long-range weaponry many of the mech’s pack. Everything else is controlled via a series of taps or ‘holds’ on the screen to open context menus, something that becomes especially frustrating as you attempt to assist a fellow mech, only to be denied as you need to first deselect every mech (barr one) to complete the action; the controls fight you at every turn, making what should be a snap tactical-decision in to a complex series of gestures.

The addition of scouting drones and other non-mech related power-ups does provide some level of tactical advantage to your arsenal, but more often than not you’ll find a patrol, run in while strafing the missile fire, rinse-repeat until you’re done.

For a franchise that touts such a deeply defined set of mechanics, Tactical Command comes off as a sort of distant relation to the series that echos familiar phrases, but fails to elicit the joy of stomping around and pitting deadly machines against each other.

Description

iPod Touch 4th Gen, iPhone 3 GS not supported. Control a powerful lance of MechWarriors and battle through the Lyran Commonwealth in 21 missions, across 3 planets. Your first assignment: Outmaneuver the Draconis Combine for supremacy — and survival. The official MechWarrior game for iOS puts the real-time strategy of the BattleTech Universe into the palm of your hand. Stability and graphics may vary depending on performance of device. Check http://www.mechwarriortc.com/compatibility.html for more details.

Send your lance of MechWarriors into battle, control their every move and use your best strategies to defeat the enemy. MechWarrior: Tactical Command delivers a unique set of touchscreen controls and the finest real-time strategy (RTS) experience with full camera rotation within the 3D environment. The authentic BattleTech mechanics include heat sensitivity and limbs with individual sources of health and power. Outmaneuver waves of elementals, tanks, and heavily armored mechs. Prepare for the most exciting, authentic BattleTech game ever released to the App Store!

Features:
Stunning cut-scenes and graphics optimized for iOS 6 with retina display
Now a universal app with integration across iOS devices
Full camera rotation within the 3D environment
Real time tactics and unique game controls
Authenticity to the original BattleTech universe and beloved board game
21 unique missions across three planets
Three difficulty modes and complete customization for resources, technology, weaponry and BattleMech upgrades

Download MechWarrior: Tactical Command today and see why games journalists have raved about it.